We all want winners through the door, but the truth is the club has to stop gambling on bodies that can’t stay fit. The Cornelius debate makes the point: a decent player on paper is no good if he’s only available for a handful of games and then sidelined for weeks. If he came for free, fair enough. For a fee of three to four million? No thanks — that’s risky business.

Availability matters more than flash

It’s not glamorous to preach availability, but it’s the baseline. You can forgive a player losing a yard of pace with time — look at Tavernier, who’s always in the frame because he turns up week in, week out — but chronic niggles and long layoffs kill squad momentum. If Djiga really isn’t coming back, well, we move on. Losing a body you can’t rely on isn’t the end, it’s a warning sign.

Where money should actually go

Right-back is an obvious priority. We can’t keep patching holes with stopgaps. Aarons is fine when fit, but he isn’t on the same tier as the elite full-backs we need if we’re serious about pressing and quick transitions. And on the forward front: I get the frustration with Olsen — expensive and, to some, offering limited return. You don’t want to be paying big fees for a player who couldn’t break into a start elsewhere; that feels unwise when cheaper alternatives have delivered.

Summer overhaul, but smart

There will be changes at the end of the season, and that’s fine. The point is buy smart, not splash for the sake of it. Look at the kind of players Danny seems to trust: hungry, adaptable and available. Whether it’s Naderi, Chucky or Rommens, pick players who fit the system and can stay fit. Chermiti or Aasgaard? If losing them frees up room for better, more dependable options, then so be it. We need a sensible window — value, fit for purpose, and men who will actually play the games.

Written by Whineonthewine: 28 February 2026

Tags: transfers injury tactics